What is the best tablet you tin buy?

Tablets are one of tech's most versatile purchases. You tin can utilise them to picket films, send emails, browse the web or even make music. If the size of your phone screen just doesn't cut information technology and you don't want a laptop, then a tablet is the perfect companion.

There are many nifty tablets out in that location – iPads are obvious choices – merely there are several nosotros'd recommend for you, depending on your budget, needs and sense of taste in design. And of class, in that location are many terrible tablets out at that place too, but rest assured, none of those features in our ranked nautical chart.

Best Tablets 2022

ane

Apple iPad Air (2022) - Best overall

Apple iPad Air (2022, 64GB, Wi-Fi)

  • Pros
    • Cracking design
    • Large brandish
    • Compatible with Pro accessories
  • Cons
    • Awkward Impact ID placement
    • A picayune pricey
    • Thick bezels
  • Best Costs Today:

While only featuring pocket-size tweaks compared to its 2020 predecessor, there's little that actually needed changing to make the all-time tablet on the market place even better.

The main upgrades come in the grade of a motility to Apple's M1 chipset, there's a new 12Mp front-facing camera with the company's face-tracking Heart Stage tech for use in video calls and the cellular variant at present supports 5G speeds.

Beyond that, it offers up the same premium blueprint in an array of colours, Bear upon ID and compatibility with Apple tree's Magic Keyboard and second-generation Apple tree Pencil. All Apple'south really done is given its best tablet an even longer lifespan.

If y'all desire that 120Hz ProMotion tech or thinner bezels, consider the 11in iPad Pro instead, but you'll pay quite the premium for these extras.

Read our total Apple iPad Air (2022, 64GB, Wi-Fi) review

2

Apple tree iPad Mini (2021) - All-time for portability

Apple iPad mini (2021)

  • Pros
    • Meaty design
    • Apple Pencil support
    • Superb performance
  • Cons
    • A piddling pricey
    • No Magic Keyboard back up
  • Best Costs Today:

The sixth-gen iPad Mini ditches the old form factor for something more akin to the iPad Air and Pro ranges; with an athwart design, stereo speakers, Centre Stage technology and much smaller bezels than before.

The Mini'due south 60Hz brandish has jumped to 8.3in, merely without irresolute the concrete size of the tablet – assuasive for more display real estate without affecting its portable nature. It's a gorgeous display likewise, with the highest pixel density of any iPad right now, even if it is a bit on the modest side for true split-screen multitasking.

It'south powered past the same A15 Bionic silicon as the iPhone 13 range, making it more powerful than the iPad Air at a similar cost.

The Touch on ID sensor has been moved to the Ability push button – similar with the iPad Air – and there's support for the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil to kicking. Nevertheless, the lack of a Smart Connector on the rear ways that it doesn't have its own Magic Keyboard; a real boon for the iPad Air and Pro ranges, and the only real chink in the Mini'southward armour.

Read our full Apple iPad mini (2021) review

3

Apple tree iPad x.2in (2021) - Ideal for productivity

Apple iPad 10.2in (2021)

  • Pros
    • Affordable
    • Big display
    • Peachy performance
  • Cons
    • Dated pattern
    • Lacklustre cameras
    • Middling speakers
  • Best Costsouth Today:

Information technology might not be hugely different from the previous entry-level iPad, but Apple has nonetheless again created a tablet that's very difficult to complain about.

If you've got the seventh or 8th-gen iPad, there might not exist enough to tempt you, simply there's a lot to love hither if you're coming from an older device or want to dip your toe into the iPad experience.

The 10.2in screen offers TrueTone tech that'll automatically adjust the colour balance based on your environment, and there's improved colour accuracy too. There are also improvements to iPadOS, an upgrade to the A13 Bionic (the same chip as in the iPhone eleven) and virtually importantly, Apple'due south upgraded the base of operations storage from an unusable 32GB to 64GB, while also offering upwards a 256GB model for those that demand a footling more than space.

Considering the price hasn't inverse over the 2020 model, that's an impressive feat for the budget iPad. Certain, it doesn't accept a laminated display, ProMotion brandish tech or an updated pattern, like pricier iPads, but so long every bit yous don't intendance about such extras, this is a great entry point that won't break the banking company and should last for ages.

Read our full Apple iPad 10.2in (2021) review

4

Apple tree iPad Pro 12.9in (2021) - All-time for artists

iPad Pro 12.9in (2021, M1)

  • Pros
    • Best-in-class display
    • Form-leading performance
    • Upgraded front camera
  • Cons
    • Expensive
    • iPadOS tin can't have full advantage of M1 fleck
  • Best Prices Today:

Apple tree'due south 12.9in iPad Pro is the most powerful tablet on the market right now, with the Mac-based M1 chipset beating merely about every competitor in benchmark tests. Still, limitations of iPadOS – including screen mirroring, rather than screen extending  – mean information technology tin can't truly take advantage of all the power on offer.

The 120Hz micro-LED display (exclusive to the 12.9in model) is perfect for graphic design work and digital artistry, equally well as watching movies and browsing social media. Meanwhile, the upgraded forepart-facing photographic camera, with auto-tracking tech, is ideal for those working remotely.

Paired with the Magic Keyboard, it has the potential to exist a true laptop replacement, just it's a very pricey one, even surpassing the starting toll of a MacBook Pro at the peak cease.

It's undoubtedly Apple's best tablet, but if you lot're non going to get total use out of the big display and powerful internals, you lot'd probably be better off with a different iPad.

Read our full iPad Pro 12.9in (2021, M1) review

5

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - All-time for Windows

Microsoft Surface Pro 8

  • Pros
    • First-class display
    • Slick pattern
    • Solid performance
    • Impressive battery life
  • Cons
    • Expensive
    • Limited ports
    • Tablet way needs work
  • All-time Prices Today:

The Surface Pro 8 has been years in the making but for many, it's the ultimate two-in-1.

Microsoft has finally updated the Pro line's design, with a larger 13in display within well-nigh the aforementioned footprint. The screen itself is at present 120Hz besides, significant the already-smashing viewing experience now comes with a super-smoothen refresh rate to boot.

Operation from 12th-gen Intel chips is impressive, while both cameras are solid and speakers are excellent. However, a lack of ports means you'll probably demand to connect an adapter or hub.

It's also worth highlighting the accessories – which transform the Pro eight into a true laptop replacement – cost extra. The new Signature Keyboard and Slim Pen ii stylus are the best they've ever been, merely they're also quite expensive.

Given Windows 11's continued limitations as a pure tablet feel, these accessories aren't really extras but essentials, simply with the Pro eight itself already significantly more expensive than its predecessor, the collective price tag may put some off.

If you lot tin can manage the premium required for the full Surface Pro 8 experience, however, you won't be disappointed.

Read our total Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review

half dozen

Apple tree iPad Pro 11in (2021) - Superb performance

iPad Pro 11in (2021, M1)

  • Pros
    • Form-leading performance
    • Highly portable
    • Centre Stage
  • Cons
    • Expensive
    • iPadOS can't take full advantage of M1 chip
  • Best Prices Today:

If the iPad Pro 12.9in is a fiddling too big for your tastes, the iPad Pro 11in may make for a better fit.

Information technology has well-nigh primal features of the 12.9in Pro, including a 120Hz ProMotion brandish, the Mac-based M1 chipset, the Centre Stage tech that tracks you when using the front camera and even its own Magic Keyboard.

The only real difference is in the display department, where the 11in model features the same IPS tech as previous years, while the 12.9in version benefits from a more advanced micro-LED setup.

That's non to say the iPad Pro 11in doesn't characteristic a phenomenal viewing experience. Information technology'southward bright, crisp, detailed and ideal for creatives on the go, especially with Apple Pencil back up; it just isn't quite equally vibrant equally the larger 12.9in model's panel.

Still, if that's an acceptable shortcoming in your eyes, the M1-powered 11in iPad Pro is an incredibly capable tablet, touting some of the best benchmark results we've ever seen from a slate; making information technology perfect for both work and play.

Read our full iPad Pro 11in (2021, M1) review

vii

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra - Best for Android

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

  • Pros
    • Stunning 120Hz display
    • Stellar functioning
    • Included S Pen
  • Cons
    • Price
    • Middling software optimisation
    • No charger in-box
  • All-time Costs Today:

Samsung'southward Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is an unusual beast in the tablet market place, offering some of the all-time hardware Samsung's ever thrown into a slate, wrapped up in a premium wafer-thin body that comes laden with a truly expansive 14.6in display.

Whether it'due south productivity, multimedia or maybe even a bit of gaming, this is one of the almost capable offerings outside of Apple tree'south iPads, right now, and undoubtedly the well-nigh powerful Android tablet e'er.

There are some important caveats to consider before forking out for the Tab S8 Ultra, however. Its high price is top of the list just the fact that to get the most out of it requires the addition of a dedicated keyboard cover as an extra expense hurts even more. It's also huge, making it one of the least portable Android tablets we've ever tested.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra review

viii

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 (2021) - Most affordable

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8

  • Pros
    • Nice design
    • Adept battery life
    • Impressive audio
  • Cons
    • Underwhelming brandish
    • Limited internal storage
    • Tedious charger in-box
  • Best Pricedue south Today:

The Galaxy Tab A8 makes an impressive return to Samsung's tablet range, sporting an attractive design and other standout qualities, including impressive audio chops.

The display and the limited internal storage are its biggest shortcomings, holding it dorsum from being an instant affordable media player recommendation, but information technology still offers respectable battery life and offers a adequately balanced all-round experience, specially for the cost.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 review

ix

Xiaomi Pad five - Great value

Xiaomi Pad 5

  • Pros
    • Stunning display
    • Proficient performance
    • Slim design
  • Cons
    • Lacklustre selfie camera
    • MIUI not for everyone
  • Best Costs Today:

It's been a while since Xiaomi offered up a slate on the global phase but its return to the tablet space in 2021 – in the form of the Xiaomi Pad 5 – is pleasingly compelling.

The tablet boasts a thin design that'south fronted by a gorgeous 2.5K 120Hz display and comes backed up by bang-up stereo speakers and solid functioning to kick.

Just every bit with its phones, Xiaomi'southward tablet-optimised take on its MIUI user feel won't adapt everyone merely information technology's wholly usable, and while the added connectivity institute on the Chinese models doesn't get in to almost markets internationally, at that place's withal little else on the Android side of the fence nosotros'd recommend, peculiarly around the Pad v's request price.

Read our total Xiaomi Pad 5 review

10

Lenovo Yoga Tab xi - Great all-rounder

Lenovo Yoga Tab 11

  • Pros
    • Versatile design
    • Precipitous display
    • Good bombardment life
    • Decent value
  • Cons
    • Average performance
    • Android quirks
  • Best Costs Today:

Lenovo Yoga Tabs take often experimented with unusual designs, embodied most plainly by their versatile integrated kickstands.

The Tab eleven might not be the nigh powerful slate on the cake only it delivers a corking audiovisual experience, stiff battery life and convenient usability, thanks to that signature kickstand; all at a compelling cost.

Android on tablets nevertheless isn't brilliant simply that's not an issue unique to the Yoga Tab xi.

Read our full Lenovo Yoga Tab 11 review

Your buying guide to the best tablets in 2022

While Apple has something of a hold on the tablet conversation, there are keen Android alternatives from Samsung, Xiaomi and Amazon. And if you need a tablet with total Windows, Microsoft is in that location for y'all with Surface.

Should I buy an Android, Windows or iPadOS tablet?

If yous're on a tight budget, you should be reading our best upkeep tablets roundup. And if you lot're looking for a tablet for your child, check out our best kids' tablets article.

Just if you want the best, you've got four main choices: an iPad, an Android tablet, an Amazon Fire tablet or a Windows tablet.

Apple iPads run the company's own iPadOS, which is widely regarded as one of the best out there. It's easy to employ and app developers usually make it their first choice, so you're pretty much guaranteed to notice what you're after.

If you have an iPhone, then it'll too exist very familiar.

This is valuable when you purchase accessories that require apps  – mainly smart home or fitness gadgets – equally you may not be able to control these from a Windows (or Burn) tablet.

In nearly cases, apps are fabricated available on Android equally well as iPads, but not always. Android tablets tin exist cheaper than iPads, just there are some Samsung models which toll the same or are more expensive.

Windows tablets come in both cheap and expensive guises, with the reward of being able to back up the same programs you lot're likely already used to running on your laptop or PC. At that place only aren't equally many finger-friendly tablet-optimised apps as you'd notice on your telephone or an iPad.

And that's why well-nigh Windows tablets come with a keyboard (or at least offer one every bit an optional accompaniment) they're actually a hybrid of a laptop and tablet. Simply as y'all'll observe out in virtually of our Windows tablet reviews, this is rarely a case of getting the best of both worlds. Ane exception being the Surface Pro line, from Microsoft.

The 4th selection is Amazon'due south Burn tablets. These are based on open-source Android but are locked into Amazon's own ecosystem, running on what'due south called Fire OS. As such, you won't find any Google services or apps on them natively, so deport this in listen. They are very affordable, though.

Your cervix muscles will also cheers if you invest in an affordable tablet stand to amend your posture and reduce neck strain as well.